The Invention of Wings

Hetty "Handful" Grimké, an urban slave in early nineteenth century Charleston, yearns for life beyond the suffocating walls that enclose her within the wealthy Grimké household. The Grimké's daughter, Sarah, has known from an early age she is meant to do something large in the world, but she is hemmed in by the limits imposed on women. On Sarah's eleventh birthday, she is given ownership of ten year old Handful, who is to be her handmaid. Over the next thirty-five years, both women strive for a life of their own, dramatically shaping each other's destinies and forming a complex relationship marked by guilt, defiance, estrangement and the uneasy ways of love. As the stories build to a riveting climax, Handful will endure loss and sorrow, finding courage and a sense of self in the process. Sarah will experience crushed hopes, betrayal, unrequited love, and ostracism before leaving Charleston to find her place alongside her fearless younger sister, Angelina, as one of the early pioneers in the abolition and women's rights movements. Some violence and some strong language.

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One of the best books I have read in a long time. I could not put this book down and read late into the night. Based on the lives of the Grimke family, slave owners in Charleston in the 1800's. Two of the sisters, Sarah and Nina, are spokespersons for the abolishment of slavery. They are also outspoken advocates for women's rights. The author Sue Monk Kidd tells the story so well I became completely immersed in the lives of the people involved. This book brought me to tears on several occasions. Very well researched, be sure to read the Author's Notes at the back of the book. This is a book I will read again sometime.

I am mortified that I did not know about the Grimke sisters until I read this book. The dual storylines of Sarah and Handful were very effective in revealing the attitudes toward slaves in both the North and the South and how radical the abolitionist movement was in the early 19th century. The recurring theme of wings was relevant to both women and gave heart to the story. High marks to the author for including the note at the end to give us details on how the story was modified to facilitate the flow of the novel. Highly recommended!

Slavery lived thru the eyes of the plantation owner's daughter, Sarah, and the slave, Handful, who was her 11th birthday present. Both of their stories are compelling and heartfelt. Really loved that Sarah's story was based on a real person. Also enjoyed the idea of story quilts as a pictorial diary. For more information, see PBS' The Abolitionists.

When Sarah Grimke is given Hetty, aka Handful, as her personal slave on her 11th birthday, she begins her lifelong journey towards freedom for both Handful and herself. Spanning the years 1803 to 1838, the reader is swept along on Sarah's journey to abolish slavery and find intellectual and economic freedom for herself. This novel, based on historical records, details the laws and methods used to control the slave economy in the South while also fighting the growing abolitionist movement in the North. This is a mesmerizing read that details our not so glorious past that still has repercussions in today's divided America. The novel is the October 2017 selection of the Willa Cather Book Club.